Dandelions not only give you signs that summer has arrived. These small but cheerful flowers are great as a brewed drink.
Dandelion tea benefits range from reducing inflammation to keeping your liver healthy. The tea also has a delicious flavor, perfect as a summer warm beverage.
What is dandelion tea good for? What is the best way to brew dandelion to get the ultimate flavor? Read this guide before adding dandelion tea to your healthy drink arsenal.
1. What Is Dandelion Tea?
The name “dandelion tea” refers to any beverages that include brewing parts of dandelion (Taraxacum officinale). You can get dandelion tea from the petals, leaves, roots, or the mixture of all these parts.
When you roast the roots to get darker beverage color, the result is often called “dandelion coffee” instead of tea.
The different parts of the dandelion produce unique flavors. Dandelion leaf tea has subtle earthy flavor with herbal notes. The flowers produce light but sweeter flavor.
Dandelion root tea has a bolder and stronger flavor. If the root is roasted, you will get toasty and slightly nutty tones.
Dandelion tea contains various nutrients, such as antioxidants, vitamin A, calcium, zinc, and chlorogenic acid.
It does not contain caffeine and tannin like in “true” tea, so you can enjoy it without worry if you have low caffeine tolerance.
2. Health Benefits of Dandelion Tea
Drinking dandelion tea regularly may give you several health benefits. Examples are:
· Reducing the Effects of Free Radicals
The effects of free radicals can weaken the immune system and create early aging signs. The antioxidants in dandelion tea will fight the effects and keep you healthy.
· Helping the Weight Loss Process
Drinking dandelion tea for weight loss works in the fiber intake and diuretic effects. Dandelion can reduce the bloated look from water weight and increase your digestive health.
· Keeping the Liver Healthy
The vitamins and antioxidants in dandelion tea can keep your liver healthy. Drinking dandelion for the liver helps reducing damages caused by excess fat.
· Controlling the Blood Sugar Level
Dandelion tea contains chlorogenic acid, which can increase the natural insulin production, which keeps your blood sugar level in check.
· Reducing the Risks of UTI
Urinary Tract Infection (UTI) is a common condition among women. However, dandelion tea helps to reduce the prevalence. Dandelions have a diuretic effect, which helps clean your kidney.
Researchers need further studies to create strong conclusions about the benefits of dandelion tea. However, drinking this tea every day may contribute to your health in general.
3. Side Effects of Dandelion Tea
The lack of caffeine makes dandelion tea a safer drink than coffee or tea for the caffeine intolerant. However, there are several health concerns from consuming this tea, especially related to allergies.
Some people may be sensitive toward dandelions and develop allergic reactions when consuming the flowers as tea.
Dandelion tea may also interfere with some medications. Blood-thinning medications, for example, can create negative reactions when mixed with dandelion tea in the body.
Pregnant and breastfeeding women should also avoid dandelion tea for safety reasons.
4. Tips to Brew Dandelion Tea
Dandelion tea is available in pre-packaged products, but there are specific requirements to make the best tea. Here are several tips to make a delicious dandelion tea:
· Steep Based on the Dandelion Parts
Different dandelion parts require a unique time to steep. Dandelion root tea, for example, requires eight to 10 minutes of steeping, while leaves and flowers only need five minutes.
· Use the Right Water
Dandelions have subtle and bright flavor. Get the best flavor by using filtered water in boiling temperature.
· Taste All the Time
Brewing dandelion tea requires experiments to get the right flavor. You should taste the tea repeatedly during the steeping process. Find out the best flavor profile and memorize the steeping period.
· Choose Young Dandelion Leaves/Flowers
If you pick your dandelions, make sure the leaves and flowers are from young plants. Older plants will create a bitter liquid if you brew them as tea.
· Use Light Flavoring
Dandelion tea is subtle, so you can add other potent ingredients to create a more varied beverage. You can add slices of lemon or almond milk, but don’t go overboard with sweetener.
You can harvest dandelions directly from the garden to make tea. However, if there are any concerns about dangerous chemicals or pesticides in the soil, opt for prepackaged tea.
5. The Most Recommended Dandelion Tea Brands
Dandelion tea is often marketed as “supplement” or “herbal products.” However, you can buy dandelion tea products just for casual drinking. Some of the best products include:
· Feel Good Organic Dandelion Root
This dandelion tea is made of the roots, which give bolder flavor than the flowers or leaves. The roots are fully dried and formed into a circle. You can get iron, vitamin A and C, and potassium.
· Republic of Tea Organic Dandelion Super Herb
This dandelion tea has bolder flavor and a fuller body than other dandelion tea products.
This is a great product if you want to switch from coffee to healthier drinks. The Republic of Tea adds vanilla flavor to the dandelion tea.
· Teeccino Organic Dandelion Dark Roast Chicory
This dandelion tea looks and tastes slightly like coffee. The rich flavor and micro-flora in each bag help to make your digestive system healthier. This is another perfect beverage to switch from coffee.
· Kiss Me Organics
Kiss Me Organics is a dandelion root tea that does not go through the roasting process. It keeps the minerals and vitamins intake. It also makes the light flavor intake.
· Matcha DNA Organic Roasted Dandelion Root
Another roasted dandelion root tea, Matcha DNA has acquired the USDA certification. The rich flavor and fragrant aroma make this a great, relaxing beverage.
You can shop for these dandelion tea brands at online stores. Enjoy the benefits of dandelion tea without having to pick your flowers.
6. Conclusion
Dandelion tea is not just a “cheerful summer beverage” with light, naturally sweet flavor. It contains various antioxidants, vitamins, and minerals.
Leaf, flower, and root tea types provide unique characteristics, flavors, and brewing methods.
Get dandelion tea benefits from prepackaged or fresh dandelion parts and enjoy this delicious beverage to replace your regular coffee or tea.
You May Also Like :
